Canyon on the northern border of Tuscan Region.

0115, 26 Mar 2025

'We're not going to hit a cliff.'

'We're not going to hit a cliff.'

'We're not going to hit a cliff.'

General Khartoum prayed silently, while his gaze fixed on the blurred cliff wall.

Not long after dinner, Lt. Col. Slane informed him that early in the morning, an ambush against the Northern Coalition's cavalry elements would be launched, and TF Amethyst higher-ups asked a representative from Tuscan Guard to join.

Without hesitation General Khartoum volunteered. He was truly curious about TF Amethyst's offensive capacity and couldn't wait to see it. Especially after he heard that the ambush would be carried out using an aerial platform, called OH-58N Kiowa Warrior with night flying capabilities.

When the appointed time arrived, Lt. Col. Slane escorted General Khartoum to the rendezvous point, located 5 km east of Magwurt City.

General Khartoum's mouth fell open wide when he finally saw OH-58N Kiowa Warrior, turned out to be shaped like a dragonfly with a windmill spinning fast above it, and two small wings on either side.

'No beak to peck at, no claws to grab on, and the riders don't carry arrows or javelins. So, how are we going to carry out the ambush?'

Fortunately, during his interactions with Amethyst Merchant personnel, General Khartoum often heard things that were difficult to understand at first, but in the end the Amethyst Merchant personnel never said nonsense. So he immediately ignored the common standards and reasoning he was accustomed to and chose to just believe.

The problem was, as soon as OH-58N Kiowa Warrior flew, General Khartoum's heart was instantly filled with a sense of horror.

In the middle of the dark nights, the Kiowa Warrior flew very low at a speed that made the ground below appear blurry. The night vision device called NVG did allow General Khartoum to see clearly in the dark, but this made the terror in his heart worsen.

And that was nothing, compared to when Maj. Baxter released the stick that seemed to be the helicopter controller, and was busy matching the map on the helicopter screen with the one he was carrying.

Maj. Baxter, who was aware of the panic on General Khartoum's face, smiled a little before giving an explanation.

"Kiowa Warrior can fly as low as possible by following the contours of the ground. It is also equipped with a system that will guide it to the coordinates we entered."

General Khartoum understood Maj. Baxter's explanation, but he did not believe a word. The reason was simple, he was one hundred percent sure that the Kiowa Warrior could not fly alone no matter what sensors or instruments it had. There must be a special trick that Major Baxter didn't explain.

'Major, if you wish to calm me down, please do it more seriously,' wailed General Khartoum silently.

If it wasn't for the sake of maintaining the image as Tuscan Guard highest leader, he would have asked for the Kiowa Warrior to be flown back to Magwurt City.

Time continued to flow before finally Maj. Baxter took over the Kiowa Warrior control again. However, General Khartoum could only breathe a sigh of relief for a moment, because the Kiowa Warrior then entered a narrow canyon and followed it without slowing down the slightest bit.

"Based on the Reaper's intel, as soon as we exit this canyon the target will be visible at a distance of 4.5 km, and move closer from the front. Once they enter Kiowa Warrior's effective range, we will make contact without warning."

General Khartoum nodded slightly, even though he did not understand what kind of contact Major Baxter was referring to.

"General, Sir, by using a thermal sensor on our main screen it will be easier to track the target."

"Understood."

General Khartoum nodded one more time, while the Kiowa Warrior main screen displayed the glowing silhouettes of 60 horsemen approaching at full speed, without noticing that two Grim Reapers smoothly shifted into their route.

Maj. Baxter then contacted the second Kiowa Warrior pilot, "Hitman 2-2, Hitman 4-4, come in."

[Hitman 4-4, Hitman 2-2, copy.]

"Stand by, versus-contact in 3... 2…1… Light them up!"

R-rarararararrrrrr. . . . !

A roaring sound could be heard along with fire arrows gushing from Kiowa Warrior's wings, and raining down on the horse riders who were advancing at full speed.

General Khartoum stared with wide eyes and a hanging mouth, as dozens of horsemen were torn apart and fell to the ground with their horses.

"Hitman 4-4, clear the left side, I'll take the right side."

[Roger.]

While General Khartoum was still stunned, Maj. Baxter made a right turn and approached a glowing silhouette that was hobbling his way away.

A short burst of fire arrows and the silhouette immediately collapsed to the ground, while the light it emitted rapidly dimmed.

A glowing silhouette that was helping his comrade to his feet also did not escape the short bursts of fire arrows. Including some silhouettes that were trying to use his partner's body to hide.

General Khartoum also saw the other Kiowa Warriors several times shooting short bursts of fire arrows, not far from their positions.

[Hitman 2-2, left side is clean and tidy, over.]

"Understood, prepare for Romeo Tango Baker."

[Roger.]

Maj. Baxter then turned his head towards General Khartoum. "We have orders not to spare anyone."

"Thank you, being merciful towards enemies is tantamount to being cruel to your friend."

Maj. Baxter smiled before saying, "We didn't hear any news, meaning the ambush at the other seven locations went well."

"In that case, thank the gods."

General Khartoum breathed a sigh of relief and gratitude that Tuscan Region was allied with Amethyst Merchant, who had a weapon system like a meat grinder.

'We will win this war.'

Confidence shone on General Khartoum's face, as the Kiowa Warrior darted under the night sky towards Magwurt City.

- - - - -

Main Meeting Room, Fort Cambia.

1000, 27 Mar 2025

"What do you mean the traces of the raiders, and how the ambush process took place is still unknown?"

Visount Grakh looked at his assistant with a frown. He did not understand how the cavalry element whose main weapon was speed and mobility, could be wiped out to the last man.

Breaking the cavalry elements' mobility was possible by deploying sieges and blocking using large units, but it was still impossible to wipe out a cavalry element without leaving a trace. Especially if the ambushed targets were in eight locations that were quite far apart.

"The trackers from headquarters said there were no human traces, Gray Wolf, or any other trace. Apart from the hundreds of brass tubes as big as index fingers with burned marks inside, there was nothing else worthy of attention."

"Are you sure the trackers weren't drunk?"

The assistant steadily shook his head. "Our three best trackers have all said the same thing."

Baron Mhors who had been observing the recording crystal, containing the images of an arm that was about to break off, a head that was about to split open, and a body that was torn apart without any sign of using a sharp weapon, turned towards Viscount Grakh before speaking, "I've never seen a wound like this."

Baron Eslei then added, "Is this Amethyst Merchants' response to show off their offensive capacity?"

Viscount Grakh took a deep breath before saying, "I have received the third confirmation. Magwurt City still has no word on the bait we threw."

Silence enveloped the meeting room, before finally a Captain walked in and handed a piece of paper to Viscount Grakh, who then read it.

"One hour ago, some fish that we let escape arrived in Magwurt City, not long after that Military Law was announced."

Everyone in the meeting room immediately smiled, while Viscount Grakh continued.

"Now we know for sure it wasn't Amethyst Merchant. So we will continue the long march. It's just that we will change the route to avoid the spots where our cavalry elements are attacked."

Baron Mhors and Baron Eslei nodded in unison, while Viscount Grakh smiled broadly.

*****